Resistance socket for signal lamps



April 20, 1943. WEBB 2,317,157

RESISTANCE SOCKET FOR SIGNAL LAMPS Filed April 22, 1942 IN VEN TOR BY 2 4 270271 72" Wag} A T T ORNE Y5.

Patented Apr. 20, 1943 RESISTANCE SOCKET FOR SIGNAL LAMPS Edmond F. Webb, Franklin Village, Mich, as-

signor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application April 22, 1942, Serial No. 440,059

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved light bulb socket and resistance element assembly.

One of the main objects of the invention is the provision of an assembly of this kind which is detachably securable to a vehicle instrument panel or a similar support and in which the socket and resistance element portions are axially aligned and in which the latter is disposed remote from the instrument panel.

Another object of the invention is the provision on the socket portion of an assembly of this kind of a resistance element supporting member which also serves as a shield for a conductor wire that leads to one of the contacts of the socket portion.

A still further object of the invention is the provision on a socket of this character of a resistance element supporting structure which further serves as the mounting for a terminal with which another conductor wire may be connected.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a lamp socket and resistance element assembly embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a right end view of the socket and resistance element assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in a detachable lamp of the type used on automobile instrument panels. The lamp comprises a tubular body portion l having an outwardly extending radial flange II at its left end, as viewed in Fig. 1. Mounted on the latter end of the tubular body I0 is a disc |2 having outwardly extending angular tongues 3 which are sufliciently resilient to deflect in order to accommodate insertion of the tongues 13 through an aperture M in a support I5. The disc I2 is clampingly engaged on the flange II by a collar IE, or U-shaped cross section. In order to securely seal the disc and tubular body Ii! together compressible washers H are disposed on opposite sides of the flange I2. A compressible sleeve I8 is also disposed within the webbed portion of the channel shaped collar Hi. The washers H and sleeve 58 preferably comprise rubber, fibre or the like.

The left end portion of the tubular body part I0 is provided with a bayonet slot 9 which is adapted to cooperate with a lug 2.0 on a lamp bulb 2| that is receivable in the left socket end portion of the tubular body part ID in a conventional manner. A terminal member 22 is axially slidably mounted inthe right end portion of the body part I 0 and provided with a contact element 23 which is engageable with an end contact element 24 of the bulb 2|. The terminal member 22 is yieldably urged leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1, by a spring 25 which bears between a shoulder on the terminal member and a flange 26 formed on the right end portion of the tubular member I0 and which extends inwardly substantially radially of the tube.

A sheet metal sleeve 2'! extends through an opening 28 in the right end of the tube B which is surrounded by the edge of the flange 26. The sleeve 21 has an outwardly extending radial flange 29 located within the tube In and contacting with the internal side of the flange 26 thereof. Formed on the opposite extremity of the sleeve 21 is a radially outwardly extending flange 30. A resistance element 3|, preferably comprising a ring shaped carbon block, is disposed around the sleeve 21and electrically insulated therefrom by a tubular insulating member 32 disposed between the outer surface of .the sleeve 21 in the wall of the central passage of the carbon ring 3| in which the sleeve2l is re ceived. The left side face 33 of the resistance element 3| is firmly held in electrical contact with the external side of the flange 26 by clampingly engaging the resistance element 3|, a sheet metal contact member 34 and a yieldable electrically insulating washer 35 between the flange 30 of the sleeve 21 and the flange 26 of the tube Ill. The terminal member 24 has a disc shaped body portion provided with an aperture 36 for receiving the sleeves 21 and 32 and it is provided with an outwardly extending ear 3'! to which is attached a bracket 38 having a tubular part 39 adapted for attachment to, and electrical contact with a conductor 40.

Electrical current is supplied to the bulb 3| through the foregoing assembly in the following manner: an electrical circuit is established from the conductor 40, through the bracket 28, terminal element 34, carbon resistor 3| and tubular body portion l0 to the side wall of the base portion of the bulb 2|. Electrical current is supplied directly from the contact 23 to the contact 44 of the 'bulb. The carbon resistor 3| serves to reduce the intensity of the current supplied to the bulb. The assembly is particularly advantageous in a system such as that used in an automobile where certain illuminating devices require more current than others.

Although but one specific embodiment of the invention is herein shown and described, it will a sleeve extending axially from the opposite end' of said casing having a passage communicatingwith the interior of the latter for accommodating a conductor wire, and a resistance element mounted on and surrounding said" sleeve and having an outwardly extending flange on the end thereof remote from said casing, a resistance element mounted on and surrounding said sleeve,

and a terminal unit comprising a mounting-disc disposed between said latter flange and saidre sistance element and 7 having, means: thereon for connection with a second conductor member.

2. A lamp socket andresistance element assembly including a socket portion comprising a sheet metal tubular casing having on one end a lamp bulb receiving opening and means for detachably mounting said assembly on a support, a metal sleeve extending axially from the opposite end of said casing having a passage communicating with the interior of the latter for accommodating a conductor wireand having an outwardly extending. flange on the end thereof remote from said casing, a layerof electricalinsulating material surrounding said. sleeve, a resistance element mounted on said sleeve and electrically insulatedv therefrom by, said material, said element being in electricalcontact with the end of said casing, a terminal unit comprising a metal mounting .disc disposed between said flange and said resistance element and havingelectrical contact with the latter and an electrical insulating washer between said .disc and said flange, said flange being so constructed and arranged asto firmly hold opposite extremities of said resistance element in electrical contact with said casing and said disc respectively.

3. A lamp socket and resistance element as sembly including a socket portioncomprising a tubular sheet metalicasing having allamp bulb receiving opening at one end and an inturned flange at its opposite end, a sleeve extending axially from said flanged end of said casing having an outwardly extending flange within the latter and abutting the internal side of said first mentioned flange in interlocking engagement therewith, a solid type resistance element mounted on and surrounding said sleeve having an extremity in abutting engagement with said first mentioned flange, and an outwardly extending flange on the end of said sleeve remote from said casing and adjacent the opposite extremity of said resistance element for simultaneously urging the latter against the flange of said casing 'and'retaining the last mentioned flange in clamped engagement between said resistance ele- -ment and the first mentioned flange of said sleeve.

4. A lamp socket and resistance element assembly including a socket portion comprising a tubular metal casing having a lamp bulb receiving opening in one end and an inwardly extending substantially radial flange on itsopposite end, a metal sleeve extending axially from the fianged'end of said casing having an outwardly extending substantially radial flange Within the latter and abutting the internal side of said flange of said casing in interlocking engagement therewith, said sleeve having an outwardly, extending substantially radial flangeon its opposite free extremity, a layer of electrical insulating material surrounding said sleeve, a ring-shaped carbon resistance element mounted on said layer between said last mentioned flange and said casing and electrically insulated from said'sleeve, a terminal unit comprising a metal mounting disc concentrically mounted on said sleeve in contact with the end of said resistance element remote from said casing, and a Washer comprising electrical insulating material between the flange of the free endof said sleeve and said mounting disc, said flange of the free end of said sleeve being so constructed and arranged asto firmly hold opposite extremities of said resistance element in electrical contact with said casing and mounting disc respectively and to retain the flange of said casing in clamped engagement between said resistance element and the flange of the adjacent end of said sleeve.

EDMOND F. WEBB. 

